Venetian kauppias

by William Shakespeare

"Venetian kauppias" by William Shakespeare is a play written between 1596 and 1598. When a Venetian merchant defaults on a loan provided by a Jewish moneylender, the deadly terms of their contract come due: a pound of flesh. What begins as a tale of friendship and borrowed money transforms into a courtroom drama exploring mercy, justice, and revenge. The play features complex questions about prejudice and humanity, centered on the moneylender Shylock and his infamous demand.